Rockport boy works to overcome diagnosis

2011 Caller-Times Children's Christmas Appeal

ROCKPORT - He has scabs on his knees and a Boy Scout uniform hanging in the closet. His bright eyes sparkle with little boy mischief. When he grows up he wants to be a super hero.

It hasn't been an easy road for Harry. At 10, he has seen the inside of more doctors' offices and taken more medications that most people might in a lifetime. When he was 3 years old he was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and then later with bipolar disorder.

His parents, Eric and Lily, do what they can to provide him with all the normal things a boy his age might enjoy such as Boy Scouts and sports but some days it's difficult to overlook how hard Harry must try to function each day. It's even harder to swallow all the things they aren't able to afford such as monthly bills and extras like Christmas presents.

The children represent thousands who will be helped by the Caller-Times Children's Christmas Appeal. The names of the families profiled have been changed to protect their privacy.

All money donated to the drive benefits the children; all overhead costs are borne by the Caller-Times, United Way of the Coastal Bend and participating agencies.

Both Eric and Lily work for a small local company. Because work has been slow their hours have been cut in half. They don't even make enough to cover their $1,700 in monthly bills and later this month the company will shut down for the holidays. The couple will likely attempt to take out a loan against their tax refund to help float past the two weeks they will go without pay.

Several years ago Eric's parents deeded them a piece of land so that they could build a house on it but they were never able to afford it. Lily, who is working on her associate degree in business management, said because they have property in their name they do not qualify for any state assistance. If it weren't for the Children's Health Insurance Program the couple wouldn't be able to afford the thousands of dollars in medications Harry takes each month.

Harry, who loves adventure and movies, could use bluejeans and shoes. He would love to own a tuxedo for those days when he'll have to go out on dates. When his mother vetoed dating at age 10 he settled on a Harry Potter wand like the ones listed for sale on the inside cover of his movie box.

Harry would like to take a Disney cruise one day. He recently began picking up chapter books that encourage him to choose his own adventure.

That may be why he now has dreams of wearing a cape and saving the world.